Internet service started in Qatar in 1996, with less than 2,000 subscribers. In 1999 the number of subscribers reached 9,000 and in 2001, 11,000. (1)

      In May 2003, the number of the Internet users, as reported by the executive director of the Qatar Communications Company Q-Tel, was estimated to be near 100,000. 20,000 of them use the ordinary Internet service, 500 of them use the first fast Al-Barq service, and a limited number use the pre-paid card service called Ibhar. (2)

      In April 2004, the number of the Internet users was approximately 115,000, a large number given that the total population of Qatar is 600,000. Qatar in ranked high amongst the Arab states in terms of Internet use.

      The Qatari Telecommunications Company has been granted a 15 year monopoly over Internet service provision. This angers many Qatari citizens, as the company has the ability to freely determine the price of connection. Several Qatari businessmen have declared that they are ready to provide Internet Service in Qatar in competition with the governmental Communication Company. Such competition will most likely result in benefits for Qatari users.

      The Qatari Telecommunications Company explains the high prices of Internet connections as a result of the small size of the Qatari market and the few number of users. The company's general director Hamad Al-Attia stated, "when comparing Qatar with other Gulf states, we have to consider the number of the users, which is about 200,000. When this number increases, the service price will decrease as a result. This is economics." (3)

      In comparison to many Arab states, Qatar provides its citizens with more freedom of Internet use and less censorship. There has been no news of website bans in Qatar besides those bans placed on some pornographic websites.


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Footnotes
1- Al-Bayan website, 05/07/01, accessed on 22/02/04,
http://www.albayan.co.ae/albayan/2001/06/05/eqt/12.htm
2- Al-Watan newspaper, 18/05/03, accessed on 22/04/04
http://www.alwatan-news.com/data/20030518/index.asp?content=local3
3- Al-Bayan newspaper, 05/07/01, accessed on 22/02/04
http://www.albayan.co.ae/albayan/2001/06/05/eqt/12.htm